Three Cockatoo Species Listed as Endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the final listing of three cockatoo species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA

Jun 25, 2014

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the final listing of three cockatoo species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), native to the Philippines; the yellow-crested cockatoo (C. sulphurea), native to Indonesia; and the white cockatoo (C. alba), native to Indonesia, have all been listed as an endangered or threatened species. Each of these species has experienced a significant decline in population, primarily due to poaching from the wild for the pet trade and habitat destruction.

In addition, the Service is issuing a special rule under section 4(d) of the ESA for the white cockatoo. This will allow the import and export of white cockatoos without a permit under the ESA if they are either captive-bred or were already in captivity at the time of listing and provided the activities are in compliance (i.e., are accompanied by permits) with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Wild Bird Conservation Act. Such compliance demonstrates that the activities do not pose a threat to the survival of the species in the wild. In addition, the special rule authorizes interstate commerce without an ESA permit, except that some previously imported birds may be prohibited from commerce under CITES.

The final rule to list the three cockatoo species and the final special rule for the white cockatoo published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2014, and will be effective 30 days after publication.